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Beam Suntory

OVERALL

Owned
JPN
Rating
Praises, some criticism

Alcohol, especially spirits

World's third largest spirits company. Formerly known as Fortune Brands, Beam Inc began trading as an independent company in October 2011 after selling and spinning off it's home & hardware and golf divisions. Acquired by Suntory in 2014 for $16bn and renamed Beam Suntory. Distributed in Australia by Coca-Cola Amatil.

Company Ownership

Beam Suntory Inc   USA     website   email      
  Suntory Holdings Ltd   
   owns 100% of Beam Suntory Inc  
JPN     website   email   facebook   twitter

Beverage manufacturer

Suntory is Japan's leading producer and distributor of alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. They are also involved in pharmaceuticals, restaurant operation, sports, music and film, resort development, publishing, and information services. Bought Europe's Orangina Schweppes Group in 2009 and USA's Beam Inc in 2014. Suntory's founding family owns about 90% of the privately held company. Part of the Mitsui keiretsu.

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Beam Suntory Inc
Social 100% on Corporate Equality Index
This company is listed as having best practice on a report card on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in corporate America.
Source: Human Rights Campaign (2021)
Business Ethics Bribery in India
In 2018 this company agreed to pay more than $8 million as penalty for settling a case involving bribery by its India subsidiary of government officials to increase sales, process licences and facilitate distribution of distilled spirit products.
Source: news article (2018)
Social Marketing Guide
Follow the link to see this company's Drink Smart website, which provides information about responsible drinking and eliminating alcohol abuse.
Source: company website (2015)
Social IARD member
This company is a member of the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing harmful drinking and promoting understanding of responsible drinking. IARD is affiliated with the United Nations.
Source: IARD (2021)
Business Ethics Certified B Corporation
One of this company's US distilleries, Maker's Mark Distillery, is a Certified B Corporation. Certified B Corporations use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. B Corps meet comprehensive and transparent social and environmental performance standards; meet higher legal accountability standards; and build business constituency for good business.
Source: B Corporation (2022)
Business Ethics Responsibility claims
This company has a number of responsibility claims on its website in the areas of responsible business, responsible drinking, philanthropy and environment.
Source: company website (2015)
Social Modern Slavery statement
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
Source: company website (2017)
Business Ethics OpenSecrets.org profile
OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more.
Source: Open Secrets (2020)
Suntory Holdings Ltd
Environment CDP Climate Change Score of A
In 2022, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change Score of A.
Source: CDP (2022)
Social CDP Water Security Score of A
In 2022, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security Score of A.
Source: CDP (2022)
Social Access to Nutrition rating
The Global Access to Nutrition Index assesses how the world's 25 largest global food and beverage manufacturers contribute to addressing malnutrition in all its forms: overweight and obesity, undernutrition, and micronutrient deficiency. All have been assessed on their commitments, practices, and disclosure with regards to governance and management; the production and distribution of healthy, affordable, accessible products; and how they influence consumer choices and behavior. Of the 25 companies ranked, this company came 21st.
Source: Access to Nutrition Foundation (2021)
Environment Unsustainable palm oil use
This company scores Ethical Consumer's worst rating for their use of palm oil, signifying they are using no or minimal certified palm products, and with no or minimal positive commitments.
Source: Ethical Consumer (2022)
Environment Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target.
Source: We Mean Business (2021)
Business Ethics Eco Brand Index
Suntory has been the top ranked company five years in a row in Nikkei Business Publications' Eco Brand Index. The survey is conducted annually through an Internet-based questionnaire, which looks into how environmental efforts of leading 560 companies in Japan are received by consumers. The survey received valid responses from 19,639 consumers. The four indices of 'contact with environmental information', 'environmental communication', 'environmental image' and 'environmental evaluation' constitute the Eco Brand Index.
Source: Nikkei BP (2015)
Business Ethics CSR claims
This company has extensive corporate social responsibility claims on its website.
Source: company website (2020)
Social Alcohol - direct involvement
Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.
Source: company website (2020)
Business Ethics Genetic Engineering
Suntory subsidiary, Florigene Pty Ltd, develop genetically engineered flowers.
Source: company website (2020)
Business Ethics 30.4% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
The 2021 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 keystone companies across the entirety of the food system, from farm to fork. It covers three dimensions where transformation is needed: nutrition, environment and social inclusion. This company ranked #84/350, with a total score of 30.4/100.
Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2021)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Wholly-owned subsidiary
Revenue 2.5 billion USD (2013)
Employees 3,300 (2013)
Subsidiaries Beam Suntory Australia Pty Ltd 

Liquor wholesaling

In Australia Coca-Cola Amatil make their RTDs and distribute their premium spirits portfolio.

Contact Details

Address Deerfield, Illinois, USA
Website www.beamsuntory.com

Products / Brands

Beam Suntory
Auchentoshan Scotch Whisky
Baron Von Scheuters Schnapps
Basil Hayden's Bourbon
Bowmore Scotch Whisky
Canadian Club Whisky (other)
Courvoisier Cognac
Effen Vodka
Hakushu Whisky (other)
Hibiki Whisky (other)
Jim Beam Bourbon
Kilbeggan Whisky (other)
Knob Creek Bourbon
Laphroaig Scotch Whisky
Lena Liqueur
Magnum Dry Beer (imported)
Maker's Mark Bourbon
Midori Liqueur
Midori Premix Spirits
Mohala Liqueur
Old Crow Bourbon
Pinnacle Vodka
Rubis Liqueur
Sauza Tequila
Sipsmith Gin
Skinny Girl Premix Spirits
Suntory Liqueur
Teacher's Scotch Whisky
Vox Vodka
Yamazaki Whisky (other)


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